Percussion Instruments Available


They'll be in the general area of where I'm sitting or standing.  That's right.  Just walk up and grab one.  Take it back to your seat.  Listen to the music.  Try to add something.


Afuche
Afuche
Tambourine
Tambourine
Maracas
Maracas

Be a part of the music!

 
Basic Fundamentals
Tambourine:  A rather heavy sound is created by hitting the blunt area against the heel of the opposite hand.  The most simple technique would be to follow a snare drum.  In 4/4 time, that would be on beat 2 & 4.  (quarter notes)
Maracas:  Twin mini maracas - they're played together as a pair in one hand.  You'll find them with either a rubber band or tape around them to keep them together and make them easier to hold.  A light sound created by small beans or beads inside of a hollow wooden or fiberglass shell.  Shake them back and forth consistently with the beat of the music.  (eighth notes)
Afuche:  This one is a little different.  A medium sound is created by holding the handle in one hand, and placing the head of the afuche in the palm of the other.  Rotating the connected beads back and forth sharply causes a swishing sound.   The easiest technique would be to follow the snare on beats 2 and 4.  However, a more complimentary sound to the tambourine would be to rotate on beat 2 and the following up-beat, and beat 4 and the following up-beat.  So the sound would be made on the 4 beats highlighted below:
1 - and - 2 - and - 3 - and - 4 - and

Music in 4/4 time

When you hear music in 4/4 time, as most of the music I play is, think of the rhythm as: 1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and - downbeats (1,2,3,4) & upbeats (and).

Better yet...just feel the rhythm!
That's the easiest way.

Sound System

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